The Cleveland Guardians have set their sights on a September 20 return for their injured right-handers, Shane Bieber and Triston McKenzie. These talented pitchers are being eagerly awaited to rejoin the Guardians’ rotation as they strive to make up ground on the American League Central-leading Minnesota Twins. Bieber, who won the prestigious AL Cy Young Award in 2020, has been sidelined since July 9 due to inflammation in his right elbow. On the other hand, McKenzie landed on the injured list on June 17 with a sprained right elbow.
Manager Terry Francona expressed his hope that Bieber and McKenzie will successfully complete their recovery and make their way back to the mound for the Guardians. As they regain their health, Francona commends their diligent efforts in adhering to the prescribed rehabilitation process. Additionally, the manager highlights the importance of a smooth path to their return, stating, “The hope is that there aren’t any hiccups.”
Francona, who initially refrained from divulging a specific timeline, now reveals that the aim is for Bieber and McKenzie to make multiple starts for the Guardians during the final two weeks of the regular season. To achieve this goal, both pitchers will face live hitters in the coming week at Class A Lake County. Subsequently, they will commence their minor league rehab assignments, barring any unexpected setbacks. The activation of Bieber and McKenzie will occur once they can confidently throw 85 pitches.
During the first half of the season, staff ace Bieber made 19 starts, posting a record of 5-6 with an earned run average (ERA) of 3.77. Despite enduring arm injuries, he showcased his remarkable skills on the mound. In McKenzie’s case, he has only been able to make two appearances this year, pitching for a total of 10 innings due to injury setbacks.
The Guardians’ aim to welcome back Bieber and McKenzie shows their determination to strengthen their pitching rotation for the remainder of the season. With the American League Central-leading Minnesota Twins currently enjoying a five-game advantage, the Guardians recognize the urgency to close this gap and make a strong push towards securing a playoff berth. The return of these talented right-handers brings renewed hope and heightened prospects for the Guardians as they navigate the final stretch of the regular season. Now, it’s a matter of executing their plan successfully, without encountering any unforeseen hurdles that could hinder their comeback. The Guardians and their fans eagerly await the return of Bieber and McKenzie, hoping that they will play a pivotal role in leading the team to victory and securing their spot in the postseason.
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